Fantasy Island: Week 7

As week seven nears its end, it is that time again to discuss the players that were treasures, players that were off course, and last but not least, players that were shipwrecks. There are a few new players that decided to join us this week. Without further ado, let’s throw out the anchor for another edition of Fantasy Island.

TREASURES

Carson Palmer – QB, Cin

Palmer makes his first appearance on Fantasy Island this week after he demolished the Chicago Bears 45-10. The Bears allow 217 yards per game and have given up five touchdowns on the season. However, Palmer completed 20/23 passes for 233 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Palmer did all of this damage in three quarters of play. The Bengals have a bye in week eight and will need it as they face the Baltimore Ravens in week nine.

Ricky Williams – RB, Mia

Williams has been quietly solid this season, but he was a red-zone monster this week. The Saints are solid against the run, but I knew that they would have their hands full with the Dolphins running game. Williams finished with nine carries for 80 yards (8.9 ypc) and three touchdowns. While 68 yards come on one run, his three touchdowns were key for the Dolphins to keep this game close. The Dolphins face the Jets in week eight and the Jets had trouble with Williams and Ronnie Brown in the two teams's previous meeting. Williams will be a sneaky play this week as a flex option.

Shonn Greene – RB, NYJ

I knew this rookie was a solid running back, but he has been buried behind Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, but he had his coming out party on Sunday. I expected a big day from Jones and Washington, but not Greene. He finished the day with 19 carries for 144 yards (7.6 ypc) and two touchdowns. With the Washington out for the season, Greene will back up Jones and should see more playing time in the future. However, I do not expect to see a repeat performance as the Jets face the Dolphins in week eight.

Miles Austin - WR, Dal

Austin is for real and seems to be the number one option in Dallas right now. It is a shame that he has been buried on the depth chart until know as he has the ability to be a high tier receiver. He had another unbelievable game as he has six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys face the Seahawks in week eight and have trouble stopping the pass so Austin is another good play.

Vernon Davis – TE, SF

It is a shame that Davis is up and down as I doubt that very many people had him in their lineup this week. If he was in your lineup, then you were rewarded as Davis finished with seven receptions for 93 yards and three touchdowns. Davis has a tougher match-up against the Colts next week, but the 49ers are going to have to pass to keep up, so Davis is another solid TE option.

OFF COURSE

Matt Cassel – QB, KC

Cassel has been up and down this season and I would think that the Chiefs are regretting paying him as much as they are. Cassel played like a third string quarterback on Sunday, as he went 10-for-25 passes for 97 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. While the Chiefs got beat badly by the Chargers, his mistakes still hurt the Chiefs on both sides of the ball. Fortunately for Cassel owners, he has a bye next week so you can pull someone out of the waiver wire and more than likely have better results.

Mark Sanchez – QB, NYJ

While he did not play great, this was a much better performance than his previous few games. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. While his yards total was very low, the key stat for Sanchez was no interceptions. If he can continue to play mistake free football, the stats will come. The Jets face the Dolphins next week which is when Sanchez started his decline. You would be better off looking elsewhere for a quarterback and the Dolphins secondary is steadily improving and are intercepting QBs left and right.

Frank Gore - RB, SF

Gore returned this week after sitting out the past two games with a myriad of injuries. He finished the day with 13 carries for 32 yards and no touchdowns and I expected a better day against the Texans poor run defense. However, if you own Gore, have no fear as he will back to form very soon. He has a decent match-up against the Colts as they allow 103 yards per game. However, the 49ers will more than likely be down and have to resort to the pass and Gore is a solid receiver out of the backfield. Needless to say, he needs to start for your team.

Carnell Williams – RB, TB

Williams started of the game well, but the Buccaneers had to steer away from the run as the Patriots got out to an early lead, which they never relinquished. Williams finished the day with 11 carries for 29 yards (2.6 ypc). The Bucs have a bye next week and will return in week nine to face the Packers who allow 131 yards per game.

Marion Barber – RB, Dal

It is obvious that Barber is still not 100% and is playing very timid football right now. When I saw the Cowboys go up for good, I expected to see more of Barber, but that was not the case. Barber finished the day with 13 carries for 36 yards and no touchdowns. Barber has a decent match-up next week against the Seahawks; and it will be interesting to see who shows up. Barber is a tough player to bench because as soon as you do, he will blow up and have great game. However, if you have better options, I would venture to say that Barber should be benched until he can prove that he can play up to his standards.

SHIPWRECKS

JaMarcus Russell - QB, Oak

It seems as though the Raiders finally got smart and put Russell where he belongs…. on the bench. He was replaced by Bruce Gradkowski who finished 10/19 for 97 yards and no interceptions. On the other hand, Russell finished 6/11 for 61 yards; no touchdowns, two interceptions, and 1 fumble which was recovered by the Jets. While nothing would surprise me in Oakland, but I do not expect to see Russell back this season as Gradkowski is a much better option at QB.

Willie Parker – RB, Pit

Parker was replaced by Rashard Mendenhall while he recovered from his injury. Now that he is back, he is starting to lose sight of his starting RB spot. Like I have said before, turf toe can be an injury that can linger all season long and it seems as though Parker's injury is not fully healed. He finished the day with one carry for two yards. Regardless of the opponent, Parker needs to be on your bench until he can prove that he is 100%.

Matt Forte – RB, Chi

I had high hopes for Forte this season, but it seems he has been hit hard by the infamous “sophomore slump.” I thought he was back when he had his first 100 yard game against Detroit, but over the past two games he has been terrible. He finished the day with six carries for 24 yards and no touchdowns. Forte has a very good match-up in week eight against the Browns and if he cannot dominate that game on the ground, then it may be time to let him go or at least ride the bench.

Braylon Edwards – WR, NYJ

It is obvious that Edwards’s quad injury is still bothering him as he did not seem 100% today. Edwards finished the day with one reception for 14 yards. You are only as good as your QB and Sanchez only passed for 97 yards, with a bulk of the receptions going to David Clowney. Once Edwards can get healthy, he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Until then, he should reside on your bench as the second match-up with the Dolphins looms ahead and they are going to shut down Edwards.

Kellen Winslow – WR, TB

Winslow has had an up and down season and while it does not help that he has a young QB, he should still be making plays. Winslow finished the day with two receptions for nine yards. Winslow should only be in your lineup if he has a very favorable match-up. The Bucs have a bye in week eight and come back in week nine to face the Packers.

As I pull up anchor on this week’s edition of Fantasy Island, remember that the season is like a ship at sea; players have their highs and their lows and just because a player is a shipwreck this week, it does not necessarily mean that he will not be a treasure next week.